Book Review: The Asian Paradise Hunza by Rahmatullah Beg

Rahmatullah Beg got his education from Hunza and Gilgit and Srinagar. Later he moved to Karachi after the partition of United India. He held various portfolios during his lifetime. Most of these portfolios were honorary positions within his community. This particular book of the author covers numerous themes. Most of the chapters in the book are written by the author.

Some of the others include speech, radio address, and articles from Dawn newspaper, personal letters and proposals. Beg has named the book Asian Paradise only because an American Film company had visited Hunza in the past and shot a film titled Hunza as Asian Paradise. In the introduction Beg mentions the presence of a Tarkhan house in Sost, Hunza. He further writes about Liaquat Ali Khan. While addressing people in Gilgit Liaquat Ali Khan expressed his hope the people of Gilgit would liberate Kashmir. I was unaware of Liaquat Ali Khan’s visit to Gilgit. The author mentions his visit. Beg further talks about the development and challenges of Tourism in the Northern Areas. Writing about Marcopolo he states that he had travelled from Gilgit to Hunza. At that time Hunza was under Buddhist rule.

In the 15^th century 200 individuals arrived in Hunza with the bridegroom from Shigar. Among them some families settled in Altit as they are known as Musinkuz. Moving on he says that Mir Nazim Khan of Hunza built a special guest house for VIPs in 1925. After Nazim Khan’s death his son Ghazan Khan shifted residence from Shumolbog to the old castle in 1938. He remained there till his death in 1945.

The author narrates an event from the Saint Gazette of London 1898. He writes that Queen Victoria made Aga Khan sit on Pope’s throne. Beg elaborates on Lord Curzon and Lord Kitchner’s visit to Hunza.  In addition to that he briefly writes about Queen Victoria’s monument in Hunza.

Aga Samad Shah’s visit to Hunza in Oct 1921 is briefly mentioned. He spoke Persian. Wazir Inayatullah and Subedar Muhammd Rafi served as interpreters. Aga Samad went to China via Hunza in Oct 1921 and returned in March 1922. He had gone to China for the enquiry of the murder case of Counselor at Chini Bagh, where the British Counselor was staying. Pir Subjally Ramzanally, Aga Khan Radio address of the 1940 to the Jamat of Northern Areas, Nanga Parbat expedition of 1953, Aga Khan IV visit to Hunza in Oct 1960 and education development in Hunza are covered in the subsequent chapters.

Construction of Karakoram Highway, Pak-Sino Boundary agreement, Haseegawaa Public School, Health in Northern Areas, and KADO and AKRSP’s efforts are also mentioned. Woes of Hunza are interesting chapters to read. PIA is severely criticized by the author. Referring to PIA he says: “I have been flying for the last many years between Rawalpindi and Gilgit but there is no improvement. People suffer as they are made to waste their precious time and money at Rawalpindi. PIA has failed to serve people on this route.”

The last pages of the book consist of colored and non-colored photographs. The rulers of Hunza from Ghazan Khan I to Jamal Khan are included. Others photographs include that of the author with different dignitaries in Hunza and elsewhere.